The 498th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 11th day of May 2002.
A lodge of MM’s was opened in due and ancient form at 1410 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM, in the East, WB Herrera, PM, SW, in the West, and WB Sugai, PM, JW, in the South.
MWB Heath then recognized the Distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date. He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of May 2002, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last stated meeting and all subsequent special meetings. The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as corrected.
The Treasurer’s report was given by MWB Watanabe, PGM, after which he moved and WB Sugai seconded a motion that the Treasurer’s report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the bills for the period and moved they be paid. After being seconded by WB Herrera, the MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
COACHING: MWB Watanabe reported that Bro Yokozawa is still not ready for his proficiency. MWB Heath remarked that he hopes Bro Yokozawa will be ready by our June meeting as it would be nice to Pass him in September or October so that he could receive the Third Degree at our first meeting in the new temple in November.
HOUSE: WB Hodges moved and WB Herrera seconded a motion that the Secretary be authorized to spend up to Y60,000 total to pay one half of the rent for temporary office space for the lodge for a period not to exceed four (4) months. MOTION CARRIED.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: MWB Heath announced that he has received a letter from the Grand Master re-appointing MWB Onishi, PGM, as our Grand Lodge Inspector for the ensuing year. The Secretary then read the G/L Monthly Bulleting of 20 April 2002.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MWB Heath, after requesting that Bro Buda present himself west of the alter, presented him with the Grand Lodge Certificate of Merit with appropriate remarks.
NEW BUSINESS: Open discussion was then had on the upcoming relocation of the lodge and the need to find a suitable meeting place for the September and October meetings. Due to the continuing security measures in effect at all US Military bases in Japan, meeting at Sagamihara Lodge No. 13 or Yokosuka Lodge No. 20 were ruled as not feasible. Meeting at Grand Lodge was also ruled out due to the distance involved. Extensive discussions were then held on a possible location in Yokohama. Several suggestions were made but no firm conclusions reached. MWB Heath encouraged the Brethren to focus on the problem and continue their efforts to find a viable solution. The matter will be discussed further at our June meeting and at anytime a possible solution is known.
MWB Heath then closed the discussions with the announcement that our June meeting will be on the 1st, and that we will be officially dark during July and August.
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this lodge of MM’s, we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 1540 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM in the East, WB Herrera, PM, SW in the West, and WB Sugai, PM, JW in the South. There were 7 members present
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary